Table 3 The effects of synbiotics and placebo supplementation on constipation symptoms based on PAC-SYM questionnaire

Abdominal symptoms

(questions 1-4), median (IQR)

3 (0-9)

0 (0-3)

2 (0-9)

1 (0-8)

0.023^a

Rectal symptoms

(questions 5-7), median (IQR)

0 (0-7)

0 (0-2)

0.5 (0-7)

0 (0-4)

0.025^a

Stool symptoms

(questions 8-12), median (IQR)

4 (0-14)

1 (0-6)

3 (0-12)

2 (0-7)

0.047^a

Total score, median (IQR)

8 (2-25)

1 (0-8)

6 (1-28)

5.5 (0-17)

0.006^a